Christian Fellowship
“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7
Vol. 18, No. 3 March 2009
The Lord spoke to my heart, “If you really want to know Me then you must surrender everything to Me.” We often think we have given everything to the Lord; but when He speaks that way, He is telling us there are still some things in the way of knowing Him.
Most people don’t realize how much they don’t know the Lord. I have always thought I knew Him, but whenever I come to a new place in Him, I realize how much I have been missing. I think this is how eternity will be. There is going to be so much more that we will find and discover in the new realm of glory. And it probably will be endless. There will never be a monotonous moment in His Presence and Glory.
But today the church just dodders along, living half-heartedly and missing so much that the Lord wants to reveal and show us. I for one want His revelation more than anything in life. I yearn for it and often feel vacant without it. I have learned that having this kind of longing gives me strength to carry on and push through.
We are seeing the close of an era and the beginning of some pretty rough stuff that will happen world-wide. I must give up every longing and keep Him first above it all so I don’t miss one thing that He will do and provide for my protection and direction. I hope you do the same.
In Christ,
Pr. Steve
Where is the Bride?
Rev 3:4 (KJV) “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”
The Christian churches consist of a mixed multitude of people who have not been drawn by the leading of the Holy Spirit. But within the churches there is a firstfruits, a warlike remnant who are faithful workers whose hearts are married to the Lord. In these days of AWE, this remnant is being called out and is being purified by the fires of tribulation.
In Genesis 24 we are told of Abraham sending his oldest servant, Eliezer, to Padan-aram to obtain a bride for Isaac. This is a picture of the remnant. Abraham is a type of God the Father; Isaac typifies Christ; Eliezer, whose name means “God’s Helper,” representing the Holy Spirit; Rebekah typifies the firstfruits; Nahor, Abraham’s brother, portrays the Christian churches.
The firstfruits, which God has called “a bride,” selected from the whole family of God just as Rebekah was selected from the family of Nahor. You see, few believers live as true disciples.
Let us see how the story of Rebekah reveals the selection of the firstfruits of the family of God, i.e. the Church within the churches.
Gen 24:2 (KJV) “And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:”
Gen 24:4 (KJV) “But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.”
Gen 24:8 (KJV) “And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.”
Being a member of the firstfruits of the Church is our choice. The Lord never forces anyone to be part of His loved one.
Gen 24:11 (KJV) “And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, [even] the time that women go out to draw [water].”
The calling forth of the Bride out of all the churches will take place “at the time of evening.” This is the hour we are currently in. The all-important decisions are being made now. We are being invited to enter into our eternal union with Christ. Those who profess faith in Christ but who have not obeyed the Spirit will not be married to the Lamb at His coming.
Gen 24:14 (KJV) “And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.”
Eliezer sought the Lord’s help and immediately, even before he had finished praying (vrs.15), Rebekah appeared. So it is today. If we are seeking to enter perfect union with the Lord,our prayers are going to be answered speedily.
When we learn to pray God’s divine will and order, delays are forfeited. Notice, Eliezer did not pray for a beautiful person who was a virgin. He prayed for a worker. The right kind of Christian service always wins the heart of Christ. We must be willing to perform faithfully our service so that the Kingdom of God can be built. If you are not diligently performing some kind of service in the Kingdom, you need to seek the Lord and find out why. The body must work together in order for us to be made whole and complete. If we truly love Him, we will serve Him wholeheartedly. Peter said, “Lord you know I love you.” “And Jesus said, “Feed my Sheep.” (Matt. 24:45-47) There is much work to be done today.
Gen 24:21 (KJV) “And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.”
Rebekah gave water to Eliezer and to each of the 10 camels. It is wise for us to watch in silence as the Lord works. Many battles are lost because the Lord’s people talk too much. Sometimes we get anxious and act before all the camels have been watered. It doesn’t matter if it takes 30 minutes or 30 years. Much of God’s work is ruined because we act before God is ready.
The Holy Spirit comes to the church today to see if there is any place for the Lord to abide. The Bride knows who she is. She does not waver when the Lord speaks.
Gen 24:29-30 (KJV) “And Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was] Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. (30) And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.”
The Holy Spirit comes with spiritual life, renewal, blessing, and gifts. Many Labans come also; but when they fail to understand, they sit back and wonder what is happening. The Bride quietly awaits the conduct of the Spirit. It is not difficult to observe the difference between the Bride and the others. She is in readiness: Praying without ceasing; Repentance of sins; Meditating on the Word; Seeking the Lord in every area; Keeping her heart free from all bitterness and unforgiveness; Listening for the voice of the Spirit; Keeping her mind filled with what is holy, just and true. She redeems the time by being made ready at all times. Rom.6:17 “You have obeyed from the heart the doctrine which was delivered to you.”
Our text of Revelation 3:4 says they are found worthy of their calling, Today, the sufferings of Christ have been delivered to His Bride to demonstrate her worthiness with patient endurance. She is not like Martha, too busy to stay focused pm the Lord Himself. She is like Mary who “hath chosen the good part.”
The marriage of Rebekah began when she decided to leave her father’s house and journey to a strange land to become the flesh and bone of a man she had never seen. Our marriage begins when we decide to leave all that is familiar to us and to go a place where we can become “the flesh and bone” of a Man we have never seen, so we can come into a new creation of existence.
Multitudes in the valley of decision wait and wait for some spiritual high so they can retain their current status. Ignorance is not tolerated. The Lord says, “Abide in Me.” Nothing else is this important. No matter what high or low you might experience, know that God is moving today. He is seeking someone to complete Him, to relieve His loneliness. It is not good for man to be alone.
We don’t follow Him so He will feed us. We follow Him because we love Him and want to be with Him. Jesus said, “If you want to eat, then feed off my body and blood. (Jn.6:66) “From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
Those who will continue to feed off of Him will become one with Him. Becoming one removes our individuality but enhances our identity. We are no longer a separate person. We are one Spirit with Him. We are the extension, the completion, and the fullness of Him. It is impossible to know the Father apart from Him. This is the completeness and intensity for which we are being sought. This is what it means to be married to Him. We will have one name with the Lamb. We will have one identity with the Lamb. And nothing will ever come between us, yet we will still maintain our identity.
Rebekah did not waver. She announced, “I will go.” If there is any doubt, any wavering, any indecisiveness, we immediately are placed in jeopardy because His name is JEALOUS.
Nahor’s family represents all the people of God. Rebekah represents the firstfruits. It is because of the firstfruits that the Church remains for a season. The church at large will continue to play their games. They will fail to comprehend not only the price which acceptance requires, but also the hesitation of half-heartedness, which brings ultimate rejection.
Gen 24:61 (KJV) “And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.”
No one knows how long the journey took, but one thing is sure: Everyone who says “Yes” will go for a camel ride. (I have been on one.) It is not pleasant.
What about Isaac (Christ)?
Gen 24:3 (KJV) “And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:”
What was he meditating on? What is Christ meditating about today? His Bride. He is anxiously awaiting her. I can’t imagine one other thing on the Lord’s mind so important in this hour. His love is ablaze because it is so close. No wonder His eyes are like fire. His love is beyond comprehension. After 2000 years, the Lamb’s love for His wife is dawning in the fullness of its splendor.
On the earth today, we are struggling in the dark womb of flesh and blood life. Our present life is on the threshold of true life. The Lamb is receiving us into His Personality. This embrace will change what He is forever. We are being drawn to Him. He is anxiously waiting. And He is beginning to lift up His eyes. What does He see? “The Love of His Life!”
Open my eyes, Lord, and let me see You as You are!!!
-Pr. Steve
. . . My calling as a pastor
Pastor’s Prophecies 2008
Mar. 4: All You desire, dear God, is a grateful heart and orderly conduct. (Psm. 50)
Mar. 7: “Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Mar. 9: “Be clear minded and self-controlled so you can pray.” (I Peter 4:7 NIV)
Mar. 15: I am beginning to understand what You are after in this day. We don’t hear about souls being saved because You are looking for Your people to grow up and be mature, so the ministry is for maturity. When that maturity begins to come, we enter into Your glorious rest. The blessing of contentment and peace prevail above all else. We are not shaken although everything around us is shaken. Resting in You is the evidence of maturity in that area of life.
Mar. 18: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Eph. 6:10)
Mar. 19: When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy. You protect the lives of Your godly ones.
Mar. 21: “There are yet many things to see and experience. I will be Father, Lord, Savior and friend. You will know My ways through it all. Look for Me in all you do and say.”
Mar. 25: If we love one another, God dwells in us and His love is perfected in us.
Mar. 27: “You have found favor with Me and all that you are experiencing is to bring honor and glory to Me. Tough times do have their blessings. Stay in Me and the blessings will not stop.”
Mar. 28: “I have led you these many years to a place of sacrifice. Now you see the multitude of blessings that follows. Now I am giving you this message for My people to know sacrifice will transform them into My image and the blessings of life will follow them.”
Mar. 29: When I am weak, then You, Lord, are strong in me.
Mar. 31: “The Lord is near those who call out to Him with integrity.” (Psm 145:18 HCSB) “He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him.” (Psm. 145:9 HCSB).
March Newsletter 2009 Where Is The Bride?
Pastor's Journal 2008 Got Hope? Quotes
Got Hope?
Heb 11:1 (KJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Some of us who are prone to offer healthy advice to someone who is sick may go so far as to share our vitamins with them, but are we prepared to minister to the hopeless, and to those who are overcome with fear because of the current condition of the world? The question really is: “Do we have hope”? Unless we ourselves have hope, we will not be able to give hope to others.
1Th 5:8 (KJV) “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”
The deliberate application of God’s word in our lives is vital if we are to live and move and have our being in Christ because: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Christian people talk much about faith, but talk is cheap. If our faith is to be displayed at all, there will an overtone of hope in our voices, not one of despair. As the Holy Bible states, we speak from the abundance of our hearts, so even if we think we have hope, we can only measure its extent by our words and our actions.
Pro 13:12 (KJV) “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.”
The word “faith” can be used as a noun as well as a verb, as can the word “hope.” As a noun, hope can mean the following: Achievement, anticipation, aspiration, belief, desire, and grand expectation. And as a verb, hope can mean: anticipation, aspire, await, believe, cherish, contemplate, count on, expect, pray for. We don’t have to look too closely to figure out that all of these descriptions are full of actions that depict going forward and overcoming. So let us move forward in confidence, knowing that neither faith nor hope convey any suggestion of giving up, sulking, worrying, doubting, or quitting.
1Jo 5:14 (KJV) “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
Sometimes it seems easier to believe for the things that we think are to be fulfilled far in the future than it is to believe for those things that we need in the now, but faith and hope are not bound by time because they are based upon eternal and limitless truths. They are just as relevant in our heart while waiting to be manifested, whether now and later. This one thing is for certain: Our faith, as well as the things that we hope for, must be founded on Christ’s will, confirmed by His word, directed by His Holy Spirit.
Got Hope? If not, it’s not too late. Get it.
-Kurt Thurston
Quotes:
“We need a heaven sent revival, a burning fire from on high, a purifying passion and a forsaking of our stubborn pride. We need a vision of eternity, of hell and the judgment day, a fervent love for our Savior, that will gladly serve and obey. We need a Pentecostal purging and breaking deep within, a vision of God Almighty and a river of tears for our nation’s sins. We need a heaven sent revival, a burning fire set ablaze. Yet, we’ll never see such glory until the Church begins to pray.”
-David Smithers
“Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. Great faith must have great trials.”
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